Živka Matić, once a shining star of Yugoslav acting, died in utter poverty and neglect, homeless in her hometown of Požarevac. Born into a wealthy family and adopted by a bank clerk, Živka built her career through radio and television roles that marked an era. She is best remembered for her role in the TV series “Citizens of the Village Luga,” where alongside the legendary actor Živojin Žika Bata Živojinović, she won the Best Acting Couple award at the Niš Film Festival in 1977.
But her life was no fairy tale. After decades on stage and screen, Živka spent her final days in destitution, abandoned by colleagues and the public alike. She passed away in 2013, her death barely noticed, and the city administration of Požarevac arranged her funeral. Despite leaving an indelible mark on national culture, her fate is a stark reminder of how society forgets its artists.
In her honor, the Požarevac Cultural Center launched the “Živka Matić Amateur Theater Festival” in the Braničevo district, aiming to preserve her legacy and highlight the importance of supporting artists during and after their careers.
This story is a bitter pill for all of us who love culture and art but often forget those who create it. How is it possible that someone who entertained and inspired audiences for decades ends up homeless? Is this the price of fame or society’s failure? Got thoughts? Drop them below — maybe together we can spark some change.
